Rob Valli Becomes a Roadrunner Again

College Relations, Communications, and Marketing

Director, Andrea Stanton 856-415-2229

Kathleen Malloy 856 468-5000, ext 6495

Deptford Twp.

007

Date:
7/30/2014

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​Roadrunner Athletics is pleased to announce that Rob Valli has been officially hired as the College's head baseball coach. Valli will also be joining the Roadrunner staff full-time as a member of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department.

Valli is no stranger to the Roadrunner athletic program and traditions. He previously served in the same position from 2001-2005, which proved to be one of the most impressive runs by any head coach in the College's history. Valli's teams reached the NJCAA Division III World Series in each of his five seasons. He left the Roadrunner program with a career mark of 225 wins and, remarkably, just 55 losses.

"We feel very fortunate to have a man the caliber of Rob Valli return to the helm of Roadrunner Baseball," commented Athletic Director Ron Case. "Coach Valli's record as our head baseball coach and faculty member from 2001-2005 speak for itself. We feel very confident that he will successfully represent us on and off the field as well in the classroom for many years to come."

Valli took over the Roadrunner program in 2001 after serving as an assistant coach for Barry Davis. He continued the tradition of success started by Davis and led the program to five straight Region XIX titles. In 2005, Valli's finest season came when the team went 50-7-1, won the region championship and the NJCAA Division III National Championship and had three players named NJCAA All-Americans.

At the conclusion of that season, Valli was hired as the head baseball coach at Temple University. Valli guided the Temple Owls to 112 wins over his six seasons as the head coach. After leaving Temple, Valli served as a scout for the Miami Marlins organization.

"I am approaching 20 years in college and professional baseball and my time at Gloucester has been most rewarding," said Valli. "I am excited for this opportunity provided by Mr. Case and President Keating and I am beyond excited to carry on our proud tradition."

All returning members of the team were informed of the decision to hire Valli Tuesday night by Assistant Athletic Director Brian Rowan. Valli's reputation has the team very eager to start the season.

"There was a palpable level of excitement with the players," said Rowan. "We have a very good group of sophomores that want to have success together. I think they are happy we could get someone with the quality background and record of success that Rob has so they know there will not be a drop-off in the level of coaching they will receive in our program."

"It is important to have someone who knows what it takes to win at this level and he has that experience," said returning sophomore Tom Hildebrand (Washington Township High School). "That will really help our team out this season. I'm excited to get to work and get Roadrunner Baseball back to the World Series."

Rowan College at Gloucester County is located on a 250-acre campus on Tanyard Road, Deptford, just off Exit 56 of Route 55.